Procurement Specialist – Temporary (6-Month Assignment) Valley Fine Foods Employment Type: Temporary, Full-Time Anticipated Assignment: November 2026 – April 2027 Extension Potential: Possible, based on business needs Department: Procurement Reports To: Procurement Manager About Valley Fine Foods Valley Fine Foods is a family-owned manufacturer of gourmet pastas and sauces dedicated to creating wholesome, natural, and convenient food products. Inspired by Northern California's rich culinary heritage, our products are available through retail and club locations nationwide. Position Summary Valley Fine Foods is seeking an experienced, detail-oriented Procurement Specialist to support our purchasing and supply chain operations. This is a temporary assignment anticipated to run through April 2027, with the possibility of an extension based on business needs. The position is ideal for a procurement professional who thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and has experience managing perishable raw materials, supplier relationships, and inventory requirements. The Procurement Specialist will work closely with the Procurement Manager and cross-functional teams to ensure the timely availability of materials while maintaining cost efficiency, quality, and supply continuity.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage purchasing activities for raw materials, packaging, and other supplies supporting food manufacturing operations.
- Create, track, and manage purchase orders to ensure timely delivery of materials.
- Monitor daily inventory levels, identify potential shortages or spoilage risks, and coordinate corrective actions.
- Collaborate with Production, Planning, Quality Assurance, R&D, and Finance to forecast material requirements.
- Maintain supplier relationships, evaluate performance, and assist with pricing negotiations.
- Support sourcing strategies that improve cost efficiency and supply continuity.
- Maintain accurate purchasing data, pricing, and product specifications within ERP/MRP systems.
- Coordinate internal inventory transfers between manufacturing locations.
- Assist with item creation, packaging approvals, and procurement-related administrative processes.
- Ensure purchasing activities comply with company policies, food safety requirements, and applicable regulations.
- Provide operational and analytical support to the Procurement Manager.
Qualifications
Required:
- 3–5 years of procurement or purchasing experience, preferably in food manufacturing.
- Experience purchasing perishable raw materials and managing inventory with shelf-life considerations.
- Strong understanding of purchasing processes, supplier management, and inventory control.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications.
- Experience working with ERP/MRP systems.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to manage competing priorities and work independently in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
Preferred:
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
- Experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.
- Knowledge of FDA, USDA, HACCP, and GMP requirements.
- Experience supporting procurement operations in a food manufacturing environment.
Assignment Details This position is a temporary, full-time assignment expected to last approximately six months, from November 2026 through April 2027. The assignment may be extended depending on operational requirements and business needs. An extension or conversion to regular employment is not guaranteed. Equal Employment Opportunity Valley Fine Foods is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to any status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
